Married by Contract

from the weather, but the kind that creeps into your chest when you realize just how small

rfect, his eyes fixed on his plate, yet I could feel them piercing me from th

voice low but firm. "Meals, work, etiquette lessons

Work? Lessons? Etiquette? My life had never been structured thi

I asked cautiously, my voi

ped. "You observe. You learn. Y

d sent a shive

books, documents, and a large desk that probably

report daily. Knowledge is par

ke a student than a wife, yet the word "wi

on felt like another chain binding me to a life I had never chosen. But somew

for a glimpse of the man behind the cold eyes. Instead, I was met wit

said, his eyes briefly meeting mine. "Most pe

liments weren't part of the contract-or the rules-but so

ou," I w

ke a victory. Then he returned to his meal as though nothing had h

room, I noticed a soft knock

I said ca

dating figure of the morning, but as a man-albeit a ma

," he said, placing a s

a key inside. Not to a room I knew, but a priva

ember, access does not mean freedom

te space was a luxury, yet it reminded me that everything in thi

survival wasn't just about following rules. It was about understanding him, anticipating h

the streets shiny and reflective. I couldn't help but wonder: who was this ma

survive a year in his world wi

d a feeling that the emotional bonds were already

e real test